Members of South Korea fire service consider NFPA highlight of United States visit

It’s fun having out-of-town guests. There’s the preparation to make sure they’ll feel welcomed, and the excitement as their arrival time approaches. We at NFPA are in this position on a regular basis, hosting visitors, not only from out-of-town, but from other countries.

In early October we opened our doors to visitors from the fire service in South Korea. The group, including an interpreter, spent part of an afternoon here at NFPA headquarters touring our library, meeting rooms, boardroom, and new conference center.

I gave a presentation on the educational programs and materials of the Public Education Division. Our guests were intrigued by our Remembering When program. They were curious as to how to get fire departments and home visitor agencies to collaborate on providing fire and fall safety education to older adults.

They asked all kinds of questions of NFPA Project Coordinator, International Operations, Stacey Van Zandt and NFPA Vice President, Field Operations, Donald Bliss during their visit and seemed thrilled as they walked through the building, as if they were touring the home of their favorite celebrity or dignitary. They told us that coming to NFPA was a highlight of their visit to the United States.